Seven Maryland biotech companies were awarded $1.3 million through the state's Biotechnology Commercialization Awards and the Translational Research Awards. The programs are administered by the
Maryland Biotechnology Center, part of the Marylarnd Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED).
"Biotechnology continues to be a key driver of Maryland's economy," says Governor O'Malley. "The high quality of the biotechnology projects supported by these awards, as well as their link to a number of Maryland institutions of higher learning, demonstrates Maryland's significant potential to commercialize our unparalleled academic research."
"These funds provide critical support to companies bringing innovative technologies to market and play an important role in the Center's mission to support commercialization," says Dr. Judith Britz, Executive Director of the Maryland Biotechnology Center. "The Center is proud to fund these grants, which last year drew applications from more than 30 biotechnology companies and academic institutions."
The Biotechnology Commercialization Awards were made to three biotechnology companies to assist them in commercializing a product or service. College Park-based Zymetis, received a $200,000 grant to advance their work in converting whey to fuel; Fyodor, based in Baltimore's BioPark, received $200,000 for the commercialization of their flagship product, the Urine Malaria Test; and InfraTrac, located at the Silver Spring Innovation Center, received $100,000 to grow their counterfeit drug monitoring product.
"MBC's grant program is brilliant because it places critical resources into companies like ours at just the right time," says Scott Laughlin, CEO of Zymetis. "Right now, everyone is looking for companies that have made the leap from development to commercialization. These funds will help us achieve this milestone."
The Translational Research Awards, which are given to help commercialize basic science research and encourage bio companies to collaborate with academic institutions, were presented to Baltimore-based Gliknik Inc., in partnership with the University of Maryland, Baltimore and Dr. James S. Gammie of the University of Maryland Medical Center. Each has received a $200,000 award.
Gliknik will use its award to support development of a drug that aids in organ transplants, with a significant portion of the funding going to transplant researchers at the University of Maryland. Dr. Gammie will use the funding to develop surgical tools that will assist in repairing the heart's mitral valve through a minimally invasive procedure.
The Shared Resource Grants, totaling $400,000, were awarded to two University of Maryland programs that provide specialized services to local bio companies. The Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (MTECH) Biotechnology Research and Education program received $200,000 to expand its operations into a new facility at Shady Grove.
A second $200,000 grant was awarded to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County for the purchase of new equipment, specifically a state-of-the-art mass spectrometer.
Applications are now being taken for grants available in Fiscal Year 2011 through the Maryland Biotechnology Center to assist in commercializing promising research, encouraging bio companies to collaborate with academic institutions and expanding biotechnology resources. The Governor also announced that seven Maryland bio companies and universities received $1.3 million in FY 2010 grants, which was the first year of funding.
Applications for the Biotechnology Commercialization Awards and the Translational Research Awards must be submitted by Sept. 15 to the Maryland Biotechnology Center. These grants complement funding available through TEDCO's Maryland Technology Transfer and Commercialization Fund, the University of Maryland's Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program and DBED's Maryland Venture Fund programs.
Source: Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development
Writer: Walaika Haskins